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ALMSGIVING.

66

'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

Think we, that man shall lose his meed
Who helps the Christian in his need,
Who for the love of Jesus shows
Compassion to the poor man's woes ;
Gives gladly of his little store,
And only wishes it were more,
Nor waits until one comes to ask,
As though it were some irksome task,
But, with quick eye to see the need,
As quickly does the generous deed;
Denies himself from day to day
To scatter blessings on his way,
Nor wearies in the work of love,
But trusts in him who sees above--
His fragrance like sweet-smelling flowers
After the Spring's refreshing showers-

Or, like the precious ointment shed
Profusely on the Saviour's head,
His perfume shall mount up on high,
And with sweet odour fill the sky-
The mighty Lord himself hath said,
That man shall never beg his bread;
The Lord shall be his staff and stay,
The Lord shall guide him on his way,
The Lord shall give him rich increase,
The Lord shall give him life and peace,
Angels shall bear him to his rest,
His place shall be among the blest:
When Jesus comes to wake the just
From their long slumber in the dust,
To endless glory he shall rise,
And shine for ever in the skies.

DIVINE TREASURE.

"More to be desired than gold."

Like to some hidden mine,

Where stores of precious metal shine,

Lost in the earth

Till labour comes and gives them birth,

God's records old,

Teeming with wealth untold,
Escape the eye

Of common folk who heedless pass

But they, who prudently explore,
And work for God's good ore,

A vast material find

them by ;

Of golden treasure to enrich the mind,
Which got, their love for it waxeth so great,

That nothing can its force abate;
All other labour counts as nought,
Pleasures by them are never sought,
One joy alone-God's word to know,
For this they bend, for this they bow.

BEREAVEMENT.

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Though he slay me, yet will I trust him."

All who love us, all we love,
God doth one by one remove,
Lest too fondly we should trust
Creatures who must come to dust:
Kind and merciful the blow,
Though it lays our dear ones low.

Reft of every earthly stay,
Earthly hopes we cast away,
Turn to Heaven with steadfast gaze,
Ponder God's unerring ways;

There in every print we trace

Sparkling love and sparkling grace.

Broken then be every cord,
If it bind not to the Lord:
Every prop be cut away,
Till the Lord become our stay;
Vex us, bruise us, wound us, kill,
So, good Lord, we learn thy will.

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